Olongapo’s ‘typhoon-proof’ devotees welcome Fatima image

The pilgrim image of Our Lady of Fatima inspires Marian devotion among the Filipino faithful during a visit to the Philippines, July 28, 2017. RAYMOND SEBASTIAN

OLONGAPO City–Not even typhoon “Gorio” could stop the faithful of Olongapo from venerating the visiting pilgrim image of Our Lady of Fatima at the city’s San Roque chapel Friday.

“I can’t afford to miss this. This does not happen always,” said sari-sari store owner Evelyn Rodriguez, one of hundreds of rain-soaked Marian devotees who had been walking in and out of the small church for the entire duration of the visitation despite the strong winds and heavy downpour ravaging the former US naval base.

According to Rodriguez, like the rest, she came to honor and ask the intercession of the Blessed Virgin as well as those of the recently canonized saints Jacinta and Francisco Marto whose relics were on display.

The visitation is part of the inter-diocesan centennial visitation to the country organized by the World Apostolate of Fatima, which started in February.

Fr. Ernesto de Leon of the Diocese of Balanga, shared that after Olongapo City, the image will remain in the Diocese of Iba in Zambales until July 31, having visited the San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish in Castillejos on July 29, St. Augustine Cathedral in Iba on July 30, and Santa Cruz on July 31.

The priest added that from there, it will be brought to Infanta, Pangasinan to be welcomed in turn by the Diocese of Alaminos. CBCPNews